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MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 137 
ing shoots near their points, and the young leaves on the under side, and 
piercing the tender cells with their proboscis suck away the juices that are 
needed to sustain the vigor, which causes the foliage to curl up and turn 
prematurely yellow. They also have a peculiarity of exuding from the abdo- 
men a honey-dew like substance that is a favorite food of small ants, and 
this substance soon gives the affected plant a filthy appearance. Where 
ants are seen frequenting plants it is pretty good evidence of the presence 
of the aphis. 
* \ 
Remedies—In all plant structures, separate from the dwelling, fumigating 
with tobacco smoke is the best and most practical remedy. This should be 
done as often as once a week. One plan for doing it is to take a few ignited 
coals on a shovel and place upon them tobacco stems (the waste of the 
cigar factory) slightly moistened, about four ounces for each twelve feet 
square of space in the house, keeping the house closed for an hour or so. 
Another and better method where brick or earthen floors are used, is to light 
a few shavings and lay the moistened tobacco stems upon them and let them 
consume slowly. After the smoke is out of the house the plants should be 
syringed freely to bring. down the stupefied insects, and afterwards the 
shelves should be brushed off and the floors swept clean. Where the plants 
are kept in the dwelling house this system of fumigation is not advisable as 
the room would carry a disagreeable odor for several days. Where but few 
plants are kept they may be taken out of doors or into the wood-shed, or 
taking a mild day for it and put into a dry-goods box with a close-fitting 
cover, and the smoke be blown upon them from a common smoking pipe; 
afterward syringe them and return them to their places. 
Another excellent method for cleaning plants of this insect is to fill a tub 
with soft water warmed to 100 to 120 degrees; invert the plant, holding the 
hand over the soil or tying a piece of cloth or something of the kind over 
the soil in the pot, put all the branches in the water, keeping the pot in the 
hand, and after drawing it to and fro a few times, take it out and shake it. 
If any insect remain take a small fine brush and brush them off, giving 
another dip, which will clean them for the present. This operation should 
be repeated as often as the insects appear, for nothing has been found out 
or heard of that will totally exterminate them. After this operation is per- 
formed, care should be taken not to raise a dust before the foliage dries off. 
Red Spider, (Acarus cellurius.) 
This insect is extremely minute, and when on the leaf can scarcely be 
discovered with the naked eye. When viewed tbrough a microscope the 
body is a bright red color, and the legs, which are eight in number, are of a 
light red, and they may be seen running about on the under side of the 
leaves with great rapidity. Although so small it is more difficult to exter- 
minate than the Aphis. ; 
With its proboscis it wounds the fine capillary vessels of the under side of 
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